Wichita eagle., 1887-09-02
LILY'S VENTURE.

| Our heroine was somewhat Inappropriate
named, though she might be classed in tn,
rose spotted Japan lily order, by which may
/ be inferred that she was far from being {
| pale ethereal flower.
At the advanced age of IS she was begin
ming to feel quite grown up; and the fact per
picked her, particularly as she failed to dis
| cover any means of broadening her exist
ence, which seemed to grow narrower as she
| grew older Her education was limited tt
the advantages the village school supplied
| and she had read all the books available, from
| 'Plg:im's Progress" to the latest novel pro
| durable, and was still signing for new world:
| to conquer. Possessed of refined tastes, and
the usual youthful enthusiasm for everything
pretty and interesting, she was yet hedged in
! to narrow limits by the very vexing question
of ways and means Her mother was q
widow, and not over strong, whose limited
income just enabled her to keep up the family
credit, as far as external appearance went
And Miss Lilys pretty dresses were in no.
wise the least illustration of her mothers
tasteful ingenuity.
But mamma could render no assistance in
devising some source of pecuniary profit suit
able for her daughter while she remained I'M
der the home roof, anything that would take
her from her protection being an absurdity
not to be dreamed Of.
@My daughter will have to wait until her
ship comes in, Or till the fairy prince ar
rives," mamma said. But she heaved secret
sigh, nevertheless, and added, Don't be
thinking, dear, of all the impossible things
you would like to possess, but rather of how
much you have to enjoy"
@That was all very well" thought Lily, ''for
old people and invaids, but with youth and
health there must be something to expend her
surplus earnings on, which she would yet dis
cover
The March winds were caroling in bois-
ferrous and noisy fashion about the house,
making the coy sitting room seem unusually
cheerful
Lily was scanning the weekly news; grand
pa, with look Of calm content, was contem-
plating the distant mountains, possibly trying
to peer into the still farther and SUMMER "be-
yond," into which his many old time friends
had vanished.
She laid down the paper with the decisive
audible comment, That's just what I'll dol'
What are you just going to dor said the
silver haired grandSire, recalled again to the
realities of time.
But Lily was not just then prepared to
answer. MY plans" she said, with respect
full dignity, ''are not very definite yet"
"A man of words and not of deeds is like
a garden full of weeds you know" and then
she few up stairs, to think undisturbed in the
solitude of her own room. humlning as she
went favorite melody
The doings of Miss Lily commenced to he
very queer thenceforward, and mamma
feared she had taken leave of her senses.
Her first absurdity was to hastily arrange
for visit to Uncle Johns, and the next one
was TO mount the truck wagon beside farm
hand to accomplish the journey, having
argued down mammals objections, as she was
nearly always able to do.
And when, two days later, she was left at
the house at an early hour, laden with a pile
of books and pamphlets, mamma seriously
demanded an explanation of such proceed
ings
81 had an idea, mamma mine," said Lily,
"and, not wishing to bother you with it, havs
consulted with uncle and auntie about my
prospective gardening scheme"
"Your whatw said mamma in dismay.
"Why, I've read that women can do it, and
I think there will be no harm in trying It.
Uncle John thinks 1 might in a small way,
and has offered to help me, and am going to
read up the subject. Here are these illus
trated catalogues, that contain much in
formation, and then this Gardening for
Profit" is just what hits me, for it is the
profits that | am after, first and foremost,
and the sentiment of the thing afterward"
Sentiment" echoed mamma. Gas if SEN
timent could be associated with onions and
cabbages and dirt. Have you yet considered
the labor involved? Who is going to weed
and tend this fine gardens And who will
manage all the details of your elaborate
schemem
"Myself-Miss Lily Addington, some avail
able boys i'll the neighborhood, with possible
favors from Uncle John besides"
"Well," said mamma, resignedly, II shall
not oppose you. 1t will perhaps prove SER
viceabe lesson to you; and then when you
have tried the enterprise to your satisfaction,
and have grown as sallow and yellow as a
tiger lily, you will perhaps be thoroughly
cured of your mercenary schemes, and con-
clude to let well enough alone"
Thanks, mamma dear, your objections
shall prove stimulant; am bound to dis
appoint You happily. If you will be good
enough to furnish me with some long wristed
linen mitts-you know you have the pattern
you made my last summers jersey mitts by
and some cool, wide sunbonnets. I'll take the
risks with my complexion.
Aunt En- gave me that idea; you see she
anticipated your objections. And my navy
blue flannel, properly shortened, will be Just
the thing for dewy mornings.
"And if my ship should come in laden
with Strawberries, green peas and early veg
etables, it will be none the less welcome
Who knows what lots of luxurieS they may
bring us. In time we may have library
and possibly piano."
Some one in the doorway with silver hair
repeated "A girl of words and not of deeds
is like garden full Of weeds. You should
have counted grandpa in among tie relief
corps"
Il shall be happy TO" said the rosy maiden.
Il didn't think YOU would guess my conun-
drum so soon But" smilingly, "the enter
prising firm of We, Us 6 Co. don't mean to